The Get Britain Working White Paper published today fails to give any information about a proposed overhaul of the health and disability benefits system, instead revealing that a consultation will begin in the Spring

According to the DWP, the government:

 “will bring forward measures to overhaul the health and disability benefits system so it better supports people to enter and remain in work and to tackle the spiralling benefits bill. A consultation will be published in Spring as part of a commitment to put the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of any policy changes that directly affect them

A DWP press release makes it clear that ill health and disability are seen as major problems in relation to increasing productivity in the UK, claiming that. 

“The UK is also the only major economy that has seen its employment rate fall over the last five years, which has been largely driven by a significant rise in the number of people out of work due to long-term ill health with an outdated employment support system which is ill equipped to respond to this growing challenge.”

Plans in the white paper include:

  • extra NHS staff to cut waiting lists in areas of high inactivity;
  • an additional 8,500 new mental health staff;
  • increased access to Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for severe mental illness, reaching 140,000 more people by 2028/29;
  • funding in three trailblazer areas for NHS accelerators to stop people falling out of work completely due to ill health;
  • jobcentres to become a new national jobs and careers service, focused on people’s skills and careers instead of just monitoring and managing benefit claims;
  • staff at Jobcentres will have more flexibility to offer a more personalised service to jobseekers;
  • new coaching academies to upskill jobcentre staff to better support people into work;
  • a disability panel set up to ensure the voices of disabled people are at the core of reforms;
  • a new supported employment programme called Connect to Work scheme which provides voluntary employment offers to people with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to work and will support up to 100,000 people a year at full roll out;
  • an independent review into how employers can be better supported to employ people with disabilities health conditions, and to keep them in the workplace.

DWP Secretary of State, Liz Kendall said:

“The Get Britain Working White Paper shows that this Government stands unashamedly for work. We will make sure everyone, regardless of their background, age, ethnicity, health, disability or postcode can benefit from the dignity and purpose work can bring.”

Meanwhile, millions of claimants will spend the Christmas period not knowing what plans the DWP has for them in the coming year or how they will be affected by any proposals to “tackle the spiralling benefits bill”.

You can read the full DWP press release here.

You can download the Get Britain Working White Paper here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    They have no clue,  8,500 new mental health staff, new coaching academies, Connect to Work scheme, trailblazer areas,  coaching academies to upskill jobcentre staff, to get this all up and running, will take years, and hundreds of millions of pounds, that's even if they achieve it.

    The big problem is, we have a Chancellor who's just about to trash the economy, and company's 
    are already, saying they will, be making job cuts and cutting back on recruitment, the simple truth,
    is, employers  don't want people with long term health conditions and disabilities, if they did, we wouldn't be having this conversation, now. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Steve I'd like to know where they're going to find 8500 new mental health staff
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Steve Saw a recent article somewhere that said the NHS has many empty places for staff, they can’t get or retain staff. It’s likely down to the fact their working conditions are poor, endless changes to policy, too much work & much more. The Government & DWP are stupidly ignoring this, so where will that leave their great plans? 

      Also when I worked at DWP during the Blair Labour government, they had the 2 ticks disability symbol on their building/offices. When I needed time off for Doctors appointments, they complained & asked why I couldn’t get a GP after 6 pm!!

      When I had a hip replacement, the recovery time etc., was specific, yet I was still expected to travel from my home  town to the town I worked in & I didn’t have a car. This was for the standard, “back to work interviews”, so there’s evidence they’re like psychopaths, they never learn & have zero empathy.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Jon I worked in the care sector. I've cared for some people who's health was better than mine is now. I do wonder if in part it helped ruin my health.
      I don't know what job the powers that be think I could do now. I'd like them to wear my shoes for a week and then decide
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 27 days ago
      @Steve Perfect Storm,economy getting trashed and more coercive policies to either force people into work programmes or face destitution,or capitulate to constant surveillance of one's activities and life ,and claim our financial needs to keep us alive.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @Steve There are plenty of jobs in the care sector working in the community or in care homes though.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    One good story out of today is least this government is not rushing these reforms through. They have a disability panel plus working with charities in the background that must surely be a good thing plus for severely disabled people there will be a safety net by the way these severely disabled people never self diagnosed their condition its was too trained specialist doctors and consultants thank you for reading my post 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @diceman24 Diceman24 :- well said , very eloquently, written , much much compassion , and sense too . Never ever stated in the right wing media !! 
      * again we'll done for your considered opinion ... which is factually correct , 
      Best wishes from S !!!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    can anyone let me know when the new reforms are due to start,this yr,next yr? Will there be discussions taking place within the govt to approve them and then will the king have to sign them off,if so when is the next kings speech.are they changing the criteria for pip and Esa? If so when. Hope to hear from someone.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 28 days ago
      @AB I think it would be next spring before they try and push there reforms but I know someone who has taken the DWP to the high court in London and won the case when the DWP didn't show up and I have been told that there are plenty of people who are willing to fight the government in court so I wouldn't worry as this could all drag on for years
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 28 days ago
      @AB I put this question to copilot a few weeks back and it basically said about two years…try asking yourself if you download the app.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @AB The king sign them.off? Eh. Government creates, MP's vote on, and governmemt implement policies, not the king.

      The document clearly states there aren't really any new policies of note which will affect the majority.

      It's just all hot air & kicking the can down the road until the inevitable cuts, that will surely come.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    Can people not scare mongering? There is a lot mentioned here that is voluntary and the scaremongering both in the media and on here can be serious, for people with severe mental health issues.  So far, it looks like no-one is going to be forced into work who is too severely ill to work. ANd those who think they could work are going to have more opportunities for help.  If we could leave it at that and no scare monger.  It is doing no good and a lot of harm for people who are mentally ill anyway
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @axab43 You're absolutely right. That is what Labour are saying in their white paper.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @axab43 Absolutely. Let’s wait and see. It’s a huge project and nothing will change quickly. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @axab43 If the government wants to cut parts of the welfare bill, ie lets say the SG  group of ESA, then the easiest way for them to kick of seriously ill disabled people would be to force a WCA on all SG claimants in the hope the assessors will score them down, and the ill disabled claimants, well a good part of them wouldn't be able to fight them @ an appeal.

      Basically there's no boundaries to any government,  and or the DWP.  These people must go to bed at night dreaming up ideas how to save a few bob.

      Then come morning they jog off to their ministerial, and or civil service jobs, and conjure and implement their plans without any thorough thought.  Typical Whitehall, white collared muppets.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    There seems a failure to recognise how disability benefits, including PIP that we have currently and DLA before that, can also support people's journey into employment and ability to stay in employment.  Disability Living Allowance was my passport into employment as a Motability Car enabled me to go to college, take up a work placement and subsequently pursue a career at various locations most of which were either impossible or very hard to reach by public transport for a wheelchair user.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    once apon a time (30+ years ago) the papers were full of job adverts.

    now no adverts.



    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @A There is, just not in papers. We don't live in the technological era of the 1990's. It's nearly 2025.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    if if if these jobs exsisted  the able bodied would of  filled them.


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 27 days ago
      @A There's 3 million plus able bodied young people economically inactive.It would make sense to target them to enter the job market.Frankly scaring/coercing long term disabled people with sanctions etc is simply cruel.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    The politicians slogan if can work you should work is propaganda from government to make it look like sick and disabled people are being lazy. When you get sick or disabled person who knows what day of the week they are well enough to work. We all have good days and bad days.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    I will not have seen my Parkinson's Consultant for 18 months when my next appointment comes around unless the appointment is cancelled again. The face to face appointments are now telephone appointments that are not the same. I do wonder what having extra nurses will do for me.

    I know if they could get me working they would but how they would keep me in employment is a mystery with my conditions, with symptoms changing day to day. I also have COPD and compressed nerves in the lower back.

    I have been told by people if you can push a key on a keyboard then you can work. The ridiculous ideas put of a think tank.

    The politicians are fit healthy and they have no ability to understand how complex conditions and how they affect a person from day to day.

    I now live in fear that my income will be taken and I will be pushed into an unsuitable job to save the government money.

    Still waiting for my review that is due the 5th Jan. I have received emails from the blue badge and the disabled bus pass department from my local authority telling me if I can't show a letter stating I am still entitled to the mobility part of PIP they will turn my bus pass off and I will not be able to renew my blue badge. They know the reviews are taking up to 2 years to be completed. When I pointed this out they said they would keep my case open an extra day.

    It is an absolute joke.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Onyx123 Hi You can get a blue badge from your council without pip .ring your council. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    From Get people working White paper

    enhanced engagement activity – to reach people out of work and not in regular contact with employment, health or local services – including those claiming Universal Credit without requirements to prepare for work or attend meetings

    Let's hope it's not back to bullying from Jplus Work Coaches however if it is then please click on link below 
    If other agencies 


    https://dpac.uk.net/2016/09/template-letters-for-esa-support-group-harassed-by-job-centres-again/
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @Harry Helpful thank you Harry I've copied the letter on this website to ward off the DWP job staff if needed.  Much appreciated.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @Harry I meant to also add my apologies


      If other agencies, ie council etc, contact you or send letters then throw the letters in the bin and ignore their phone calls they have no power whatsoever.




  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    The mystery
    “The UK is also the only major economy that has seen its employment rate fall over the last five years"
    is the big "B-xit" word, that's where the problem lies.  Less JOBS, and less choices.  But it's obviously the Disabled who gets the blame...again?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    increased access to Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for severe mental illness, reaching 140,000 more people by 2028/29;

    WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN? What are the talking about? Why cant they make things clearer for people to understand? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @A this scheme is voluntary only so nothing to worry about
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    YTS Youth Training Scheme £25 per week zero Training.

    Refuse work no Universal Credit.
    Now the responsibility will be on the parents and the costs. "Go and find a job I can't afford you sitting around doing nothing eating, using electric and water etc 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 24 days ago
      @Jon Then you had employers paying the ,£35 and calling it an apprenticeship it was all a dishonest con.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 28 days ago
      @Jon But that was years ago…when mars bars were mars bars!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @Poppy YTS £28 pounds a week first year and the second year £35 pounds
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    36. Many people who are off work with long-term health conditions want to work, with 600,000 stating that they would like a job at the moment

    From Get people working White paper
    Chapter 3 
    Unbelievable ! the blatant lies, dead on 600,000  ???
    They want 80% disabled in work 
    We can guess how they'll try to achieve this 



  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    This White Paper is a lot better than what some of us were expecting.  Where is what they are going to do with PIP though?  It is a lot less scary than the headlines and what some on here said it would be.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @axab43 This white paper, would be better been used for toilet roll
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    What do they mean by volunteer employment ?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    When we finally hear about the disability benefits, the govt will have a problem: in order to get more disabled people into work, the transport system needs to accomodate us better, and provisions for us in all work places need to be put in place (disabled toilets, ramps, grab rails etc).   Preparing Britain for having more disabled in work is going to cost a fortune. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @MrFibro I think you've misunderstood Darinfan's comment regarding disabled toilets. They were referring to places of employment needing them, not them being available on public transport.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @darinfan Like ermm every local bus is going to have a toilet fitted for the odd one or two customers who has severe chronic incontinence issues.  The bus companies answer is don't use a bus.

      For Britain to level up in the 21st century for disabled people in all walks of life would cost countless £trillions.  It's never going to happen, la la land doesn't exist, only in one's dreams.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @darinfan 100% ! as well as a commitment to ensure work from home/remote working can be a choice for people who need it with solid flexibility on hours and how companies work with sickness absence/ time off for appointments. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 29 days ago
      @darinfan Agree.  It's also not just about transport and accessible workplaces, but accessible housing too.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    What I will say to people on here or those just passing by when the consultation on reforming certain welfare benefits in the spring 2025 come out I strongly encourage and recommend you to fill it out and let them know what you feel and think about their proposals, whether they take it on board is neither here or there, but at least they will know how you feel about it all.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    An Activist is still arguing the changes so might be that things were put on paper until what ever happens with them is put out there which is by end of next month  so it could change whats on the paper but some of  what's come out with the governments plan it's all got to go to the lords and who ever they sound like they trialling areas with the big rates of unemployment and they want the young ones back in work ect they think after roll out lots of people a year will be helped but don't know heard it's not going to happen straight away the spring is the consultation thing and the governments got to get employers to join their plan and a disability panel so they going back around a table it sounds and  this paper is just a paper for now .
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 29 days ago
    Let's get this straight: no, disabled claimants and the ill don't know what next year will bring wuth regards to benefits.  BUT we don't know that in ANY year.  Last Christmas, were people worrying about the voucher scheme that was discussed through 2024?  No.  Any govt of any party can change rules when they want.  We have no say over it, so we might as well get on with our lives until we actually KNOW something. 

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